Young Lion of the Woods eBook

If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers
of their fathers, long ago there might have been collected
from such documents, and displayed, many particulars
of positive information concerning the very early
history of the English in Acadia.

We might have possessed a much fuller history of the
times when great difficulties and dangers opposed
the settlers. When rushing rivers had to be crossed
without boat or bridge; when men and women often found
it necessary to contend single handed with Indians;
and when, for meeting the many obstacles that placed
themselves in their path, our ancestors were often
but poorly equipped.

Whilst we take pride in the hardships cheerfully borne
by our forefathers in the early colonial days, may
we not be sometimes inclined to forget those fleet-footed,
clever, dusky sons of the forest, to whose generous
aid they were not infrequently indebted for protection
from hostile men and savage beasts, and even sometimes
for sustenance?

When we have secured positive information that now
and again there have appeared among the brawny men
of the forest noble specimens of all that is true
and kind, let us not fail to record their deeds of
faithfulness and heroism. The least we can do
for such is to bring to light their actions and preserve
their history. When beneath the shade of the
forest, on the trackless desert, on the rushing river,
in tempest and thunder, or when watching in the vicinity
of an old fort or near the log cabin of the early
colonists, the Red man has been found a faithful friend
and guide; should not his deeds of kindness, faithfulness
and bravery be recorded side by side with those of
the noblest of the human race?

The story related in the following chapters has been
gathered from facts stated in time-worn documents,
which have been lying for generations concealed in
a wooden box. The only regret of the writer is,
that it was impossible for him to gain access to all
the old musty and defaced papers in the box.
The old gentleman, in whose possession they were found,
is very old and eccentric, and by no effort or persuasion
could the writer induce him to part company with the
documents, but for a short time. But although
the task of procuring them was extremely difficult,
and that of deciphering them afterwards was both difficult
and tedious, still the satisfaction of having rescued
from decay and destruction, what seems so interesting,
is satisfaction sufficient for the writer.

That portion of the documents relating the events
in connection with the first and second settlement
of an English officer and his family, during the last
century, in a district which is now said to be one
of the most beautiful portions of Canada, is most
instructive and interesting, although at times, while
deciphering it, the writer felt his blood quicken
in its pulsations, and tears forcing their way to the
surface.

A few years previous to this English officers first
attempt at settlement in Nova Scotia, he came out
to Quebec with his regiment. The remaining portion
of this introductory chapter will narrate some events
in connection with the early life of the officer, his
coming to Quebec with his regiment, his short stay
there, and his return to his native country:—­